THE SIMPSONS KEEP CONTEMPORARY IN Secretly Biting the Political Apple
Simpsons creator forbids humorous political commentary in Springfield setting.
Just like countless families in divided America, the Simpsons have opted to sidestep political humor due to its quick-aging nature, according to series creator Matt Groening.
Reality Check:Notably, political humor often dates rapidly, losing its edge and becoming stale.
In an interview at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the creative mind behind the renowned family shared his disdain for political satire in their show, explaining the lengthy production process puts episodes at risk of becoming outdated.
Crafted by Fox TV and now owned by Disney Plus, this groundbreaking show has occasionally managed to preempt real-world events, such as Donald Trump's presidency, which was referenced back in 2000. In the past, the series also presented political figures, including Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, in various parodies.
The writers ensure the storylines remain on par with the times, as evident in a recent episode that poked fun at AI by having a chatbot write a finale. The delighted Selman tells AFP, "Of course, it just regurgitated and spat out all the other finales from all the other shows in unoriginal and silly ways that of course would be terrible." This playful attempt aimed to counter AI's increasing dominance in the creative realm.
Nature remains a stimulating force for inspiration, as demonstrated by "The Simpsons Movie" in 2007, which centered on a disaster induced by Homer, leading to Springfield being enclosed under a massive dome. The film grossed an impressive $536.4 million worldwide.
Translated into 26 languages and broadcast across approximately 100 countries, the much-loved TV series is slated to air its 800th episode sometime in early 2026.
Behind the Scenes:The American political landscape has significantly influenced the creative direction of The Simpsons, pushing the writers to address controversial topics. Their early risqué humor and depiction of a dysfunctional family life brought controversy, which survivors Groening credit for boosting the show's popularity.
Political satire found its way into episodes, tackling issues like government policies, social concerns, and political figures. Episodes often engaged with current events, using satire to comment on issues like media control and political manipulation.
The series has managed to remain culturally relevant by addressing contemporary political issues, using humor to highlight political themes lightheartedly, introducing complex topics to a broader audience.
Movies-and-TV shows like "The Simpsons" often delve into contemporary entertainment, tackling political humor and social concerns, such as government policies and the influence of media. The writers of "The Simpsons" strategically choose to evade political satire in their show, acknowledging the quickly-aging nature of political humor after being put through a lengthy production process.
